FEM modelling of fibre-concrete in development of blast resistant elements

The paper summarizes the results of the development of fibre reinforced concrete intended for explosion resistant applications. Blast resistance of slurry infiltrated fibre concrete (SIFCON) with different amount and shape of fibres was investigated both experimentally and numerically. Test specimens with 2 types of steel fibres with different shape parameters in four volume fractions (2.5;5;7.5 and 10.0 vol. %) were investigated. Quasistatic mechanical properties have been determined and real blast test on the selected slab specimens were performed. The Finite Element (FE) method was used to predict the response of the slabs upon blast impact. New approach based on creation of the automatic scripts designed for generating of the FE network of fibre elements has been proposed and used. This approach enables creation of the FE model with various shape types and amounts of fibres. Calculations were performed in LS-Dyna solver. Using this concept, good agreement was concluded between the results of the real blast experiments and numerical simulations of slab specimens. The material characteristics and explosion test data have been used for numerical investigation, which defined the optimal wall composition and dimensions of the concrete element which should resist the explosion defined by type, size, weight and placement of the blast.